Jim DeMint Says Newt Gingrich 'Handled Well' Allegations By His Second Ex-Wife

WASHINGTON -- South Carolina's Sen. Jim DeMint, a tea party leader, said the South Carolina Republican primary is "clearly a two-man race" now between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

DeMint has steadfastly declined to endorse any of the GOP candidates, although he supported Romney four years ago. Asked about his persistent neutrality on "CBS This Morning," DeMint said, "I don't think there's very many people in South Carolina who are waiting for me to tell them how to vote."

Gingrich also praised Rick Santorum. "Well, I think he's very popular here," he said. "It could shift--Rick's a good guy, a strong character, and I think he did well last night. So he could get back in play. But just from the polls I was looking at this morning, it looks like a two-man race."

He said he's focusing more on trying to win a Republican majority in the Senate.

DeMint sounded off on a heated exchange between CNN's John King and Newt Gingrich in Thursday's debate surrounding allegations against the former House speaker that he wanted an "open marriage" with his second ex-wife, Marianne Gingrich. "Well, he probably handled it as well as he could have, because the best defense is sometimes a good offense," DeMint said. "He certainly went on the offense last night. But today, I think South Carolinians will have a chance to digest it. Whether or not it makes a difference in the race, I'm not sure."

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Comments

[l78lancer]

01:10 AM on 01/22/2012

"South Carolina's Sen. Jim DeMint, a tea party leader, said the South Carolina Republican primary is "clearly a two-man race" now between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney."
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Haley Romney and he loses BIG in SC,while the republican establishment doesn't like anyone, Paul continues to tag along as the descent vote, and the rightwing christians are leaning towards Santorum along with the TP. It's interesting that De Mint would dismiss Santorum even though the TP seems to still be behind him. That is further evidence that the GOP is in a state of chaos.

[Clevelandinwi]

08:32 AM on 01/21/2012

The 'demented' one also supports the execution of gay people in several countries. That's how insane he is.

[highlyqualified]

07:37 AM on 01/21/2012

Demint is for open marriage clearly if Newt wins, and for morman leadership if Romney wins. His principles on parade.

[92102]

07:05 AM on 01/21/2012

I am in no way defending Newt, but...... We know how Mrs. Gingrich #2 feels about Mrs. Gingrich #3 but how does Mrs. Gingrich #1 feel about Mrs. Gingrich #2? Was Mrs. Gingrich #2 ok with doing Mr. Gingrich while he was still married to Mrs. Gingrich #1? Meanwhile, who's on first?

[Jim Pasterczyk]

04:35 AM on 01/21/2012

We all know how South Carolina male GOP pols treat their women, don't we?

[PublicCitizen21044]

06:43 AM on 01/21/2012

No do tell.

[Jim Pasterczyk]

02:36 AM on 01/22/2012

Witness one former Governor Sanford.

[Jim Pasterczyk]

02:49 AM on 01/22/2012

Remember Governor Sanford?

[Clevelandinwi]

08:33 AM on 01/21/2012

Been there, watched that!

[llyd wlsh]

03:49 AM on 01/21/2012

"Well, he probably handled it as well as he could have, because the best defense is sometimes a good offense," DeMint said. "He certainly went on the offense last night. But today, I think South Carolinians will have a chance to digest it. Whether or not it makes a difference in the race, I'm not sure."

perhaps if newt er had drug his ex out on stage by her hair and beat, he could have clinched the s c vote

[Skeetshooter]

03:07 AM on 01/21/2012

These primaries are a battle for the Republican soul between the too good the too bad, and the too damn ugly. May the sleaziest rich dude win!

[AlphaDoc]

07:38 AM on 01/21/2012

>These primaries are a battle for the Republican soul<

Leave it to Republicans to fight over something that no longer exists.

[tamazul]

02:19 AM on 01/21/2012

Rachel Maddow was "spot-on" when she referred to DeMent as the "Silverback" of the GOP, in reference to that big, bad, wicked gremlin.

[jacquie1]

12:22 AM on 01/21/2012

He isn't REDEEMED in my book. To him women are disposable...when they get old, sick or inconveniently block his path. The part that really got me was the sense of ENTITLEMENT, like how dare you question me...even when he was trying to bring down Clinton. Now he is saying...no it was because Clinton committed a felony? No he wasn't found guilty of a felony. He was impeached by the House and not by the Senate for perjury and disbarred but NEVET convicted of a felony...so the claim that it was ok to go after Clinton for the same crap that Newt was doing is sprious and hypocritical. So where are all the Christians beating their Bibles all the while hypocritically yelling about the sanctity of marriage being undermined by gays? Sorry, the guy you gave a Standing -O to dies more to defile the sanctity of marriage than any gay person.

[Jim Pasterczyk]

04:37 AM on 01/21/2012

Zing! Disposable is exactly right.

[Pollytiques]

11:51 PM on 01/20/2012

He handled it as well as the entire republican party did for years covering up for the worst racist in history. There wasn't an empty suit in the whole state that didn't know Strom Thurman had a "thang" for younger women. Starting with the helpless 16 year old maid when he was well into his 20's and finally marrying a girl young enough to be his grand daughter. Good thing all of them are "Christians" and plumb FULL of family values. there's no way a slime like Newt couldn't win in SC.

[human2008]

11:34 PM on 01/20/2012

Conservatives and their family value and the talk of redemption - in Newt Gingrich's own words "Pious baloney".

[j b f]

11:30 PM on 01/20/2012

Integrity means so very little .Lots for the young to admire.

[fabuloush2s]

10:12 PM on 01/20/2012

Handled well??? That may be the tea partys opinion, but it will not hold water in the mainstream community of people with prinicples and integrity. None of Newt's baggage gets a pass. Remember tea party this is the election for the POTUS, not some icky soap opera sitcom, or reality TV series.

No one can live pass a rocky relationship lived outside of the people involved. The interesting part is that Newt doesn't seem redeemed as he proffers. He is treating this like a football game and the playing team has intercepted the ball! Now he has to decide whether to expose the entire relationship or kick a field goal... The conseratives want answers and they will be waiting on the sideline for the statements and issues... an open marriage is a harmful method of having it your way. America deserves better while the struggle with dealing with culture and senitive issues will be the basic priority along with jobs, housing, health care, education and military benefits. The standards that Newt and other repubs have chosen are highly questionable and disturbing... so carry on and help with the re-election of President Obama, where there still is hope and trust in the unity of marriage. Get your baggage and take this tea party supporter with you... Newt!

[Pamski]

10:07 PM on 01/20/2012

I have an overwhelming urge to reread Karel Capek's "War With the Newts". Think I'll go to the library tomorrow.

[toribio]

09:59 PM on 01/20/2012

He didn't say he disaproved of Newt's actions, so obviously these teapartier operatives only see the hay in their opponents eyes. Can we say hypocrite.